Sermon Ideas for Teens on Service

Enlisted to Serve

• Decorate the youth area with military paraphernalia. If desired, you may also dress in a military uniform or costume to deliver the message. Read 2 Timothy 2:4, which states, "No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer" and discuss how deciding to follow Christ is somewhat like joining the military in that Christians have a commander who gives them "marching orders" in the Bible. Discuss what kinds of things please God, focusing on Jesus's teaching that the two greatest commandments are "love God" and "love your neighbor." Explain that an important part of their marching orders involves loving their neighbors in practical ways -- by serving them.

First and Last

• Start with a fun activity and ask who would like to go first. In most youth groups, you'll have no shortage of volunteers. After the activity, discuss how it feels to be picked first or last, whether for the activity you just completed or for some other game or activity. Most people don't like being chosen last. Conclude by reading Mark 10:35-45 in which two of Jesus's disciples ask him for a special position above the others. Jesus used the situation to teach his followers that those who want to be first in God's eyes should put themselves last and serve others. Discuss ways that teens can put others first in their daily lives, such as sometimes letting others go ahead of them when standing on line for something.

Old Enough to Serve

• Teenagers -- especially younger teens -- might want to serve but feel that they lack talents or abilities to do so. Start by asking the teens if they have ever wanted to do something to help others but felt like they weren't capable of doing it, especially if age was part of the reason they didn't feel that they could. Read Jeremiah 1:4-10, which describes God's calling of Jeremiah. Most Bible scholars believe Jeremiah was a teenager when this happened. Explain to the teens that most people aren't called to the huge task of speaking to an entire nation, but that everyone is called to serve one another in love. Explain that with God's help, they may find that they are able to make a bigger impact on the world around them than they dreamed possible. Discuss practical ways that teens can serve like volunteering in their communities.

Dirty Feet equals Opportunity

• Set up part of your youth area with a large tarp before the teens arrive. Place a kiddie pool nearly half filled with mud in the middle of the tarp with a special prize buried somewhere at the bottom. This prize can be money or anything that appeals to teens. Put it in a plastic baggie if it's something that shouldn't get dirty. Have several large bowls of clean water and towels handy. When the teens arrive, choose volunteers to play a game. Have them take off their shoes and socks, roll up their pant legs and search for the hidden object with their feet, explaining that whoever finds it can keep it. When they're done, have them sit down and ask if anyone would like to wash their friends' feet. In the unlikely event you get volunteers, praise them for their servants' hearts. If no one volunteers, wash them yourself. No matter who actually washes the feet, read and discuss John 13:1-17 in which Jesus teaches servanthood by washing his disciples' feet.